Resident Requirements

Although the routine of the house is largely unstructured, residents are required to participate in a variety of activities related to community living. These activities include attending the annual residents retreat and quarterly house meetings; participating in the Meals Program; performing regular house chores (approximately two hours per week of work inside or outside the residence) and weekly kitchen duties; and participating in quarterly "work days," which last approximately four hours.

Students requesting living space must also agree to abide by the Residence Program’s three "moral issue" rules:

1. No illegal or irresponsible drinking or drug use is permitted.
2. No sexual activity between unmarried people is permitted.
3. Residents agree to pursue kindness in their dealings with one another, especially in the midst of life’s difficult struggles.

Residents are free to pursue their lives and relationships in the house in an atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement. Because the staff and faculty of Gutenberg College are committed to creating an environment conducive to students learning to make adult decisions on their own, what the Residence Program requires—and does not require—of students has been carefully considered. The absence of some rules to regulate individual choices should not be interpreted as disregard or lack of concern for the importance of such decisions; on the contrary, individual choices, such as smoking, legal drinking, or watching films, are vitally important. Because these decisions are so important, the Residence Program seeks to provide an environment where residents can decide for themselves on these issues and, in the process, learn about decision-making in an atmosphere supportive of their faith. The Gutenberg College staff and faculty are always ready, however, to provide their input and experience to help students make wise decisions.